Not Your Average Joe

Editors' Pick

Photo by Erick Gibson

Kaldi’s Coffee Bar

With free WiFi, high-speed Internet and lots of electrical outlets, Kaldi’s Coffee Bar has all the coffee shop requisites. But the quality of the food and drinks makes owner Tsega Hailemariam’s gathering spot special. The Counter Culture Coffee is brewed as espresso, regular drip or in an Alpha Dominche Steampunk (the latter resulting in a fresh-tasting, super smooth drink), and the house-made quick breads, coffeecake, bread pudding and babka are divine. Kaldi’s is in the process of adding a rooftop lounge, expanded café space and more food offerings, a project that could be completed before spring. For now, groups of chunky wood tables, gray leather sofas and oddball chairs create spheres of seating, and there are always plenty of people on laptops, lapping up the joe and the soothing atmosphere.